In This Section
Families of Compulsive Gamblers
The term "Problem Gambling" includes but is not limited to, the condition known as "Pathological" or "Compulsive" Gambling, a progressive addiction. Compulsive gambling is an emotional illness, not a moral issue or a lack of will power. Pathological Gambling is a diagnosable and treatable condition.
Problem gambling can affect the entire family emotionally, financially, socially, and even physically.
How Problem Gambling Affects the Family
- Loss of income, depletion of savings, incurring large debts, damage to credit rating, and decline in overall standard of living
- Deterioration of trust between the gambler and other family members
- Depressed feelings and anger towards the gambler
- Social isolation or withdrawal from social contacts with extended family, friends and co-workers
- Sleep disturbance, headaches, chronic anxiety, and many other physical difficulties
Are You Living With A Compulsive Gambler?
- Do you find yourself constantly bothered by bill collectors?
- Is the person in question often away from home for long, unexplained periods of time?
- Does this person ever lose time from work due to gambling?
- Do you feel that this person cannot be trusted with money?
- Does the person in question faithfully promise that he or she will stop gambling, plead for another chance, yet gamble again and again?
- Does this person ever gamble longer than he or she intended to, till the last dollar is gone?
- Does this person immediately return to gambling to try to recover losses, or to win more?
- Does this person ever gamble to get money to solve financial difficulties, or have unrealistic expectations that gambling will bring the family material comfort and wealth?
- Does this person borrow money to gamble with or to pay gambling debts?
- Has this person's reputation ever suffered due to gambling, even to the extent of committing illegal acts to finance gambling?
- Have you come to the point of hiding money needed for living expenses, knowing that you and the rest of the family may go without food and clothing if you do not?
- Do you search this person's clothing or go through his or her wallet when the opportunity presents itself, or otherwise check on his or her activities?
- Does the person in question hide his or her money?
- Have you noticed a personality change in the gambler as his or her gambling progresses?
- Does the person in question consistently lie to cover up or deny his or her gambling activities?
- Does this person use guilt induction as a method of shifting responsibilities for his or her gambling upon you?
- Do you attempt to anticipate this person's moods, or try to control his or her life?
- Does this person ever suffer from remorse or depression due to gambling sometimes to the point of self-destruction?
- Has the gambling ever brought you to the point of threatening to break up the family unit?
- Do you feel that your life together is a nightmare?
If you answered yes to six or more of these questions, you may be living with a compulsive gambler.
Source: Gam-Anon
This information on problem gambling is offered solely in the interest of helping those individuals who have developed problems with their gambling behaviors. If you or someone you know exhibits the behaviors of problem gambling, seek help. The information provided here is not meant to be a substitute for treatment.